Editor;

The bleach-blond DJ at Disco Duck came out with an unusual announcement Sunday night. “And remember ladies, always better to choose kong Thai than kong nawk.” A polite translation of this particularly crude expression, dear to the hearts of young Thai men, would be “Better to go home tonight with a Thai man than a farang.”

“Prefers kong nawk” is an insult that is often muttered at Thai women when they are out walking with farang men, but I was surprised to hear it coming over the airwaves in a disco that is popular with westerners. It made me realize that there is one hard fact of life that we proud owners of ‘kong nawk’ forget at our peril. For every Thai girl who chooses to exclusively pursue the company of farang men, there is a Thai man who ‘goes without.’ We are surrounded by constant, seething resentment and would do well, for our own safety, to be sensitive to it.

The problem will be compounded over time by another gender-related phenomenon that is not specific to Thailand. More boys are born than girls but, historically, the death rate of young boys has been higher than that of young girls leading to an equal number of both sexes in early adulthood. Advances in medical science and the decline of dangerous occupations have resulted in a surplus of young males in the world. This creates ever larger numbers of young men who resort to delinquency to relieve the pressures of unrequited sexual desire. Beware!

Sir,

Please print this to warn other farang of a new scam. I have been coming here for 15 years, about 4 / 5 times a year, and it’s a new one on me.

I was sitting at my usual nightcap bar on Beach Road, between Soi Yamato and Soi 13, last Thursday. It was 02:45 and it was raining. A Thai man approached and offered to sell me a carton of Marlboro for B500.

Now, I don’t normally buy anything from travelling salesmen but I did need some cigs and he said his mother was sick.

I asked if she got sick from drinking the poisoned water from the well that the family Buffalo drowned in after it had been knocked down there when his sister had run into it with her motorcycle, but he did not seem to understand.

Anyway, we agreed a price, I examined the cellophane (it was sealed perfectly), we exchanged gifts and he went on his soggy way.

I returned to my room, after the heavens had closed, and opened the carton. Inside were two layers of polystyrene with some sort of brown earthy stuff in between. Not one cancer stick to be seen.

As I said before, the packet was perfectly sealed and when I compared it to the carton I had to buy from the shop early on Friday morning, the weight was also correct.

Unfortunately, my girlfriend discarded the evidence that afternoon so I had no proof to take to the Tourist Police.

It just goes to show that even an old Pattaya hand like myself can still be conned so, ALL you farang out there, be warned.

The obvious way to be safe is never buy anything from street vendors but, if you must, check the item very carefully, then check it again.

Hello,

I am a young Thai boy. I know your newspaper is read by many falang. On Wednesday I lost my wallet with my id and my bank card and some pictures of me when I was small. Also some money.

I was sure I would not see it again because this is Pattaya. Next day the police telephoned my room owner to say it had been given to the police. A falang had found it and taken it to police. It had everything still in it.

If good falang read this please thank you for being honest.

Editor;

The Sisters, staff and children from the Fountain of Life Center, Pattaya wish to thank the many generous and devoted friends who worked tirelessly to make the “Jesters Care 4 Kids Charity Drive” at the Amari Orchid on Saturday September 16 such a huge success.

Our congratulations for a day to be remembered go to the planning and organizing committees; to cyclists, stallholders, schools that took part, gym personnel and many busy hands behind the scenes. To all those who spent generously and encouraged others to do likewise, we want to express our appreciation and gratitude. It was a very enjoyable family day, with varied races and varied social levels playing and enjoying together.

The Pub Night at Henry J Beans was a great event. Our friends, the Jesters were determined that the crock o’ gold would overflow. There were eats and drinks galore and lots of music all interspersed with raffles and nail-biting auctions with each item ceremoniously held aloft by Woody and others waiting for the highest bidder.

To all, our thanks, our prayers and a big HURRAH from the many LITTLE PEOPLE at Fountain of Life Center, into whose live you are brining a love that cares, a love that shares and a security that is so necessary for children.

The Little People of Fountain of Life, the staff and Sisters will remember all your efforts and goodness.